Abstract
Pilates is effective for training the core muscles and stabilizing the hip joints, which provides relief from pelvic pain and low back pain during pregnancy. However, there are no specific guidelines on appropriate physical exercises for pregnant women due to the current pandemic. We aimed to apply the exercise standard proposed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to home-based tele-Pilates exercise (HTPE), to determine its effect on the physical and mental health of pregnant women. We randomly divided the subjects into the following two groups who completed 8 weeks of HTPE (50 min/day, 2 days/week): (a) Pilates exercise (PE, n = 7) and (B) non-Pilates exercise (CON, n = 7). HTPE was performed by adjusting the program every 3 weeks, based on pain and physical fitness levels. We measured body composition, muscles of the hip joint, pelvic tilt, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), before and after HTPE. Following HTPE, while the percentage of body fat and body mass index had significantly decreased, the body fat mass did not change in the PE group (p < 0.05). The PE group showed an increase in strength of the left and right hip flexion and hip abduction, compared to the CON group (p < 0.01). The ODI and PSQI were significantly decreased in the PE group (p < 0.05). Therefore, the 8-week HTPE program is an effective exercise for pregnant woman that reduces body fat metabolism and strengthens muscles of the hip joint, thus alleviating pregnancy-induced low back pain and insomnia.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral respiratory disease, has caused social, economic, and cultural disruption across the world
We aimed to verify whether 8 weeks of home-based tele-Pilates exercise (HTPE) partially improves the pelvic tilt and muscles of the hip joint, low back pain, and insomnia during pregnancy in the COVID-19 context
Changes in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were significantly decreased in the PE group, compared to the CON group (ODI: p = 0.001 and PSQI: p = 0.001, Figure 2)
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral respiratory disease, has caused social, economic, and cultural disruption across the world. Pregnant women are classified as another high-risk group and are predicted to be exposed to great danger during the COVID-19 pandemic [2,3]. This can be attributed to the high incidences of miscarriage, premature birth, immature fetal growth, kidney failure, and vascular disease during the. Some studies have reported on the susceptibility of pregnant women to pneumonia and respiratory infections during the current pandemic [4], there are limited studies on COVID-19 and pregnant women.
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